Winter 2020/Fuller Online

HT503

Sumner

HT503: THE CHURCH’S UNDERSTANDING OF CHURCH, HUMANITY, AND CHRISTIAN LIFE IN ITS THEOLOGICAL REFLECTION (4 Units: 160 hours). Darren Sumner.

DESCRIPTION: HT503 is a survey of systematic and philosophical theology that focuses especially on revelation and scripture; creation and providence; theological anthropology (human identity and nature, the image of God, the fall, sin, and evil), soteriology (the election, calling, justification, regeneration, and sanctification of the Christian), and ecclesiology (the ministry and mission of the church). The course reflects the historic Christian church's development of these doctrines in dialogue with its opponents and with its cultural context. Related topics and themes to be addressed may include the development and articulation of the inspiration and authority of scripture, God's work in creation, human persons in relation to God, and the place of the church in the purposes of God.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students who complete HT503 will demonstrate: (1) a basic critical theological knowledge of the conceptual and normative dimensions of the doctrines of revelation, creation and providence, anthropology, soteriology, and ecclesiology as those and other selected doctrines emerged in the early church and developed to this day; (2) a basic competence in interpreting historic and contemporary perorations of these doctrines and an ability to evaluate these theological issues and their historical and contemporary development; and (3) a critical and sympathetic appreciation for the breadth, unity, and diversity of the Christian church.

RELATIONSHIP TO PROGRAM LEARNING OUTCOMES: HT503 introduces students to a basic historical and theological knowledge of the doctrines of the church, humanity, and the Christian life as these doctrines and associated practices developed especially in the medieval and Reformation church, with an eye to developing skills in interpretation and critical appreciation; it thereby seeks to implement the SOT PLO, “Students will have demonstrated capacities for historically informed theological and ethical reflection.”

COURSE FORMAT: This course will be conducted online on a ten-week schedule aligned with Fuller’s academic calendar for a total of 40 instructional hours. Students are required to interact with the material, with each other, and with the instructor regularly through online discussions, reading, and other assignments that promote active learning.

REQUIRED READING: Approximately 1,100 pages in total.

Barth, Karl. Church Dogmatics Vol. IV/1, Sections 61-63 (Study Edition #23, or any edition of IV/1). T&T Clark, 2010. ISBN: 978-0567267184, Pub. Price $39.95. Available as an e-book from the Fuller Library [130 pp. assigned].

Kärkkäinen, Veli-Matti. An Introduction to Ecclesiology: Ecumenical, Historical & Global Perspectives. InterVarsity Press, 2002. ISBN: 978-0830826889, Pub. Price $26.00. Available as an e-book from the Fuller Library [220 pp. assigned].

Plantinga, Richard J., Thomas R. Thompson, Matthew D. Lundberg. An Introduction to Christian Theology. Cambridge University Press, 2010. ISBN: 978-0521690379, Pub. Price $37.99 [195 pp. assigned].

Cortez, Marc. ReSourcing Theological Anthropology: A Constructive Account of Humanity in the Light of Christ. Zondervan, 2017. ISBN: 978-0310516439, Pub. Price $29.99 [250 pp. assigned].

Webster, John. Holy Scripture: A Dogmatic Sketch. Cambridge University, 2003. ISBN: 978-0521538466, Pub. Price $31.99. Available as an e-book from the Fuller Library [140 pp. assigned].

Other selected readings to be made available weekly via e-Reserves, including selections from D. Guder, M. Luther, R. Jenson, S. Jones, M. A. Oduyoye, J. H Yoder, and others [approximately 165 pp. assigned].

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:

Online instruction through reading and audio/video lectures [12 hours].
Weekly forum posts as assigned, including both original posts and replies to peers (20%). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #1, 2, and 3] [25 hours].
Approximately 1,100 pages of required reading [73 hours] and two 1,200-word critical engagement papers integrating course reading with a practical ministry scenario [16 hours]. (30%). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #1, 2, and 3].
A 3-page homily or small-group outline reflecting upon the relationship of faith and works in conversation with a contemporary audience (15%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #1]. [4 hours].
A 10-page research paper on a topic chosen in consultation with the instructor. (35%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #2]. [30 hours].

PREREQUISITES: None.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Option to meet the TH2 or TH4 requirement in the 120 MDiv and 80 MAT Programs (Fall 2015). Option to meet the TH2 requirement in the 80 MATM and 80 MAICS Programs (Fall 2015). Meets the STB requirement in the 144 MDiv Program.

FINAL EXAMINATION: None.